Milk protector



Feb. 14, 1939. D, E. MCKENZIE 2,147,622

MILK PROTECTOR Original Filed July 14, 1956 1s 9 it z 9 Z[ a 24 //l 'I l/ 2 Z f 5 Z i :6 z #4 i E 24 :55, 5 l5 l5 15 I! {shut INVENTQR BY P wfwwwz ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 14, 1939 PATENT OFFICE MILK PROTECTOR Daniel E. McKenzie, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor of one-half to Isador 'R. Allen, Los Angeles,

Calif.

Refiled for abandoned application Serial No.

. 90,562, July 14, 1936.

This application February 28, 1938, Serial No. 193,099

4 Claims.

My invention relates to that class of articles which are used in connection with the distribu tion and preservation of milk. The primary purpose of my invention is to provide a means for 5 keeping the milk cool without the use of ice or other refrigerant, and also to protect the bottle from breakage or contamination. In my invention as described and claimed in this application,

further improvements are attained in the me-' 10 chanical structure of the protector, and in addition, means are provided for equalizing the temperature of the bottle and its contents inv its upper and lower portions. It is well known that U heat always has a tendency to rise, and when the protector is placed over a bottle of milk which has been previously chilled, whatever warm air there may be left in the inner chamber of the protector, after the partial vacuum is accomplished by pressing the suction ring against a flat surface, will rise and accumulate around thetop of the bottle, resulting in the cream losing its chill sooner than the milk in the lower part of the bottle. To equalize this temperatureso that the temperature of the upper and lower portions of the bottle are approximately the same, an equalizing pipe is provided, and experience has shown that the circulation of air through this pipe accomplishes the desired purpose.

I accomplish these purposes by the structure illustrated in the accompanying drawing,- in which similar numerals refer to. similar parts in the several views. Figure 1 is a vertical section showing the bottle in position, and also showing the locking device. Figure 2 is a top plan View. Figure 3 is an inverted bottom plan view. Figure 4 is a vertical section with the equalizer pipe and bottle shown, but with the locking mechanism omitted. Figure 4 also shows the insu lating material which can be used in the annular space between the inner and the outer cylinders.

The construction of my device is as follows: 8 is an outer cylindrical chamber provided with a sealed top 9, and an annular base ll, said base having secured thereto an inner cylindrical chamber l2 also provided with a sealed top H], and adapted to receive a bottle I. This inner chamber i2 being of'a smaller diameter and lesser height than the chamber 8, provides a space l3 between the walls of the two cylinders and above the inner cylinder. This space l3 may be filled with sealed-in air, so-called dead air, or it may be filled with any suitable insulating material M, such for example as rock wool or magnesia. If desired this space I3 may have its air exhausted forming a vacuum in the said space. Cemented or otherwise secured to the base II is an annular ring [5, of soft rubber, sponge rubber or other elastic material, the purpose of which will be more fully hereinafter described.

The means for locking the bottle 1 in position inside the inner chamber I2, and also the means for releasing the said bottle from the container, consists of a rod l6 located within the space 13 i and extending up through the top 9 of the cylinder 8, ending in a lever handle l8.

Wound around the upper portion of the rod l6, and outside of the container is a spring Il, having one end bearing against the lifting handle 2|,and having its other end secured to the lever handle IS. The purpose of this spring is to hold the latch 20 normally in its latched position. The bottom end of the rod l6 extends through the base H and is bent into a latch 20 at approximately right angles to the said rod and adapted by the rotation of the said rod to be swung under the bottle I, or to be swung clear of the said bottle when released by the manual operation of the lever'handle I8. 22 is a stop which limits the throw of the latch 20 when in its locked position. If desired a tube 23 can be used surrounding the said rod I6 and having flanges 24 at its ends, each of which is soldered to the inside of the base II and the inside of the top 9. This tube is especially desirable when the space I3 is used as a vacuum chamber. In the form shown in Figure 4 an equalizing pipe 25 is located in the space l3 and is soldered or otherwise secured and connected. with the inner chamber l2 near the top, and also near the bottom of the said chamber? The operation of my device is as follows: The container is lifted by the handle 2| and placed over a milk bottle 'I and pressed downwardly until the elastic ring l rests on a surface which is preferably fiat and smooth, such as a plate. It is then given a further downward pressure which causes the said ring to act in a manner similar to that of a force cup, expelling a part of the air from the inner chamber 12. When the container is pressed down over the bottle 1 the contour of the bottle acts as a cam, pressing against the latch 20 swinging it laterally until, when it reaches the bottom of the bottle the spring [1 causes the said latch to swing under the bottle, locking the said bottle in place. If preferred the lever handle 18 may be operated manually instead of depending upon the contour of the bottle I to actuate the latch 20. To release the bottle, the latch handle 20 is manually operated and the container lifted off.

This application is refiled for abandoned application, Serial No. 90,562, filed July 14, 1936.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A protector having a central chamber adapted to be placed over a container; an outer chamber surrounding the said central chamber; a sealed dead-air space between the said chambers; means for locking and unlocking said container in said central chamber, said means consisting of a rod located within the space between the said chambers and extending through the top of the said outer chamber and having a spring actuated operating lever, said rod also extending through the base of the said outer chamher and having a latch adapted to engage the bottom of the said container.

2. A protector having a central chamber adapted to be placed over a container; an outer chamber surrounding the said central chamber; insulating material in the space between the said chambers; means for locking and unlocking said container in said central chamber; said means consisting of a rod located within the space between the said chambers and extending through the top of the said outer chamber and having a spring actuated operating lever, said rod also extending through the base of the said outer chamber and having a latch adapted to engage the bottom of the said container.

3. A protector having a central chamber adapted to be placed over a container; an outer chamber surrounding the said central chamber; insulation between the said chambers; means for producing a partial vacuum in said central chamber, said means-consisting of an annular ring of elastic material secured to the base of said outer chamber; and means for locking and unlocking said container in said central chamber, said means consisting of a rod located within the space between the said chambers and extending through the top of the said outer chamber and having a spring actuated operating lever, said rod also extending through the base of the said outer chamber and having a latch adapted to engage the bottom of the said container.

4. A protector having a central chamber adapted to be placed over a container; an outer chamber surrounding the said central chamber; insulating between the said chambers; means for producing a partial vacuum in said central chamber, said means consisting of an annular ring of elastic material secured to the base of said outer chamber; and means for locking and unlocking saidcontainer in said central chamber, said means consisting of a rod located within the space between the said chambers and extending through the top of the said outer chamber and having a spring actuated operating lever, said rod also extending through the base of the said outer chamber and having a latch adapted to engage the bottom of the said container; and means for equalizing the temperature in the upper and lower portions of the said central chamber, said means consisting of a pipe disposed within the said outer chamber and connected with the said central chamber near the top and also near the bottom of the said chamber.

DANIEL E. MCKENZIE. 

